• VS Questionnaire (health and management)

• Biological Testing

o Fecal Parasite Test: Fecal egg counts on a composite fecal collection will provide information

about parasite burden. Select operations will be examined for dewormer effectiveness. To allow for

accurate test results, sheep should not be dewormed 60 days prior to sampling.

o Enteric Microbe Test: Detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella, E. coli, and

Campylobacter in your sheep.

o Lameness Pathogens Test: Swabs will be tested for lameness pathogens on the operation.

Summer 2024–Onward

• Individual Biologic Test Results

o Operation-specific biologic test results mailed to producers in a sealed envelope.

• Interactive Dashboards and Reports

o Reference guides and targeted reports for benchmarking and analyzing trends

in the industry.

• Manuscripts, Information Sheets, and Infographics

o Focused analyses on important issues to the industry.

Phase I: NASS Contact

Phase II: VS Contact

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study 

Timeline

Reports

• General Sheep Management Questionnaire

o Administered by National Agricultural Statistics Service

(NASS) staff.

o Operations with 1 or more ewes in 30 States.

• Consent Form for Phase II

o Producer consent for contact from Veterinary Services

(VS) for operations with 20 or more ewes.

April–July 2024 

VETERINARY SERVICES (VS) 

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Sheep 2024 study is designed to provide 

participants and industry stakeholders with benchmarking information on the U.S. sheep industry. 

Information collected will contribute to critically important data that will inform disease management 

and preparedness strategies to safeguard the sheep industry. This document describes the timeline 

and participant benefits for the NAHMS Sheep 2024 study. The study will start in January 2024 in

the top 30 sheep producing states on operations with 1 or more ewes. For more study information, 

please refer to the NAHMS Sheep 2024 Launch Sheet and the Informational Flyer.

January–February 2024 

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 

STATISTICS SERVICE (NASS) 
Safeguarding the U.S. Sheep Industry

Fecal Parasite Test: $600 Value*

Fecal Microbe Test: $1500 Value*

Lameness Pathogens Test: $1100 Value*

Collectively, selected sheep producers play an important role in safeguarding the 

U.S. sheep industry. Information provided in the Sheep 2024 study will: 

• Provide transparent, credible information on U.S. sheep industry practices.

• Assist policymakers and industry stakeholders in making more informed

decisions affecting the sheep industry. Results will also allow producers to

compare their production management with other sheep producers in their region.

Fecal samples from individual sheep will be tested for the following fecal microbes. 

Positive cultures will be tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Participants will 

receive individual animal results for: 

• Salmonella

• E. coli

• Campylobacter

Fecal samples from individual sheep will be combined and a composite fecal egg count will 

be provided to determine the overall gastrointestinal (GI) parasite burden on the operation. 

Common GI parasite eggs found in sheep include Haemonchus, Ostertagia, and 

Trichostrongylus spp. Select operations will have the sample tested for dewormer resistance 

using the DrenchRite Assay. 

• Sheep should not be dewormed 60 days prior to sampling.

Interdigital swabs from selected sheep will be tested for lameness pathogens, which tend to 

cause digital dermatitis and foot rot. Participants will receive individual animal results for: 

• Treponema spp.

• Dichelobacter nodosus (causes foot rot)

• Fusobacterium necrophorum

* Values are based on estimated average cost at diagnostic laboratories for samples taken from 20 sheep and

include both diagnostic testing and confidential results.

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study 

Benefits 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.